June 8, 2009, Jackson, Ms. Shopping Trip.

Kate has been very patient. For her birthday February 15, we gave her two things; a basket of fresh flowers sent from the florist and the promise of a shopping trip. She could either shop now with her Mother Christina where I would send funds or wait until we came to Jackson when we could all go shopping together. Last year when she was 11, Ken and I and Christina, Mary Frances and Molly went together to Tyson's Two and shopped for her birthday gifts. Everyone had a wonderful time, but especially Kate. She decided to wait until we arrived. Today was the day.

Ken and I and Kate and Mary Frances arrived at the store right at 10:00, at The Old Navy. We were to shop at the Gap and Old Navy, then meet Christina and Molly and Andrew at the Saigon restaurant for lunch. Ken would then drive home while Christina and Molly would continue with the shopping expedition. Our plans worked well. Ken and Mary Frances had a list of items to be purchased, while Kate and I shopped. Last year, Kate was tentative with her choices and I had to encourage her to say no, rather than look to Christina or me. But not this year. She had the potential to be difficult to fit into clothes, as she is twelve, five feet eight inches tall and very slim. We got lucky. She wears a perfect size 0 in women's jeans, pants and shorts so we were able to buy everything on her list for casual clothes. In addition, the cotton is very light and the styles are cute. The length of the jeans were also perfect.

Everyone enjoyed the Saigon restaurant for lunch. The shoe store right after lunch was a hit with Molly. She showed her tummy in every mirror, while both girls chose shoes. Next up was The Pink Pony, a children's store, where we hoped to get a dress or two for Kate. It was such fun to watch both girls try on dresses that they thought looked awful, only to discover that they looked great. I added a couple of clothing items for Mary Frances, because she received a Wii for her birthday, and she shares her Wii with everyone in the Family, so I felt that something just for her alone was only fair.

We arrived home just in the nick of time for Molly to nap. She was very good when shopping, but had we shopped much longer I think she would have lost her good spirits. The three adults, Ken, Christina and me, then enjoyed a fashion show, with Kate trying on and showing every garment. Mary Frances too modelled her new clothes and she was pleased as punch, once I told her the reason for her gifts. Mary Frances is nine and did not want to horn in on Kate's shopping trip. She was happy to go along with Ken and complete his list. Everyone loved the very large shoe store. The girls tried on very high heeled wedge shoes made of gold and silver. They looked ridiculous and they knew it. It was a wonderful day for all.